[ STATE HOUSE ]

33
Aiea-Halawa

Jerry Coffee

Republican

Age: 70 Job: Professional speaker; naval officer (retired) Past: Author, MidWeek columnist; prisoner of war, North Vietnam

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

I bring a wealth of life experiences, maturity, leadership and perspective to the position. Having owned a small business ... and being victimized ... by crime, I feel my firsthand knowledge will make me a more effective advocate. ...

What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

The majority of voters of District 33 voted in favor of our governor and for the changes she advocated in her "New Beginning" platform. The current Legislature has robbed the people of my district of their mandate for those changes. ...

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

I support the plan to break up the Board of Education and the Department of Education ... but ... the ... department soaks up too much of the education revenue that should go directly to classroom functions. ...

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Blake K. Oshiro

Democrat

Age: 34 Job: Wong and Oshima, attorneys at law, associate Past: State representative; majority whip

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

Years of volunteering with Hawaii's youth and community groups have strengthened my commitment to fight for needed changes. Being young with fresh ideas and independence, I'm working hard at the Legislature. ...

What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

Ensuring that our Hawaii, its unique history, culture and quality of life can be passed on to future generations; let's crack down on crime, support education, provide good jobs to keep people in Hawaii. ...

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

Oppose. Let's focus on the classroom, not boardroom -- that's where student achievement happens. Let's minimize bureaucracy to get resources into classrooms and to increase teachers' salaries. ...

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